On September 17, 2024, dozens of Hezbollah members were seriously wounded in Lebanon when their communication pagers unexpectedly exploded. The incident took place in several locations, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as Hezbollah's stronghold, and areas in southern Lebanon. Witnesses reported scenes of chaos as injured members were transported to local hospitals for emergency treatment.
Initial reports suggest that more than 1,000 people were injured in the blast, which affected Hezbollah fighters, medics, and other civilians. Hezbollah members have long used pagers as a primary communication tool, particularly in areas where cellular devices are deemed too vulnerable to interception. Security sources have described this as one of the most significant breaches Hezbollah has experienced in recent years.
And just like that, Israel pulled something you only see in the movies.
Over 2,000 Hezbollah terrorists killed/injured as the batteries of their pagers overheated and exploded in a cyber attack.
Being part of an Islamist terrorist organization comes with consequences! pic.twitter.com/YreVAt2tXp
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) September 17, 2024
The explosions occurred around 3:30 p.m. local time, and Hezbollah officials have pointed the finger at Israel, accusing them of being behind the attack. Israeli officials, following their usual protocol, declined to comment on the incident. However, the timing coincides with rising tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where both sides have exchanged fire multiple times this year.
Videos circulating on social media show the devastating aftermath of the explosions, with injuries concentrated on the hands and arms, where the pagers were likely being held. In some cases, victims were also seen with leg injuries, suggesting the devices may have been in their pockets when they detonated.
It’s reported that possibly over a thousand Hezbollah terrorists were killed or injured when a cyberattack on their secure cellphones and pagers caused them to explode.
It’s almost… biblical.
Kaboom 💥 pic.twitter.com/QmK4tJyUsr
— Cheryl E 🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱🎗️ (@CherylWroteIt) September 17, 2024
Lebanon's Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has called for a full-scale investigation into the event, while Hezbollah has launched its own internal inquiry. Iranian officials, including their ambassador to Lebanon, were also among those injured. Hezbollah's military strength is often backed by Iranian resources, making the presence of Iranian officials in Hezbollah-controlled areas unsurprising.
As Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities work to understand how the breach occurred, regional tensions continue to escalate. Hezbollah's political and military wings have often found themselves at the center of Lebanon's security dynamics, frequently clashing with Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Analysts warn that this incident could provoke further retaliatory actions from Hezbollah against Israel, adding another layer to the already volatile situation.
This attack on Hezbollah's communication network comes at a time of heightened Israeli-Hezbollah tensions, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considering a broader offensive against the group. Hezbollah's leadership has been vocal about its readiness to respond to any Israeli incursions. The group, which has been central to the conflict in Lebanon for decades, is viewed by many as a state within a state due to its military capabilities and political influence.
The scale of the pager explosions and the number of injuries mark a serious blow to Hezbollah's operational capabilities. These devices have long been a reliable form of communication for Hezbollah, particularly in military operations where mobile phone usage is minimized to prevent tracking and surveillance.
